Demonstrators march to Minnesota Capitol in protest of Trump's policies
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Protesters across the United States gathered at state capitols on Wednesday to demonstrate against President Trump, including in Minnesota.
The protest is in solidarity with the 50501 Movement, a nationwide protest against the president's policies and executive orders. The "50501" stands for, "50 States, 50 Protests, One Day."
No one group in the Twin Cities served as an organizer, but more than a thousand people gathered on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol building after finding out about it online and on social media.
In the middle of it all was Karen and Craig Anderson of Minneapolis.
"I have to do something," Craig Anderson said. "I have to be there."
"They're trying to make all of these employees resign, and these are the people that keep our government running," Karen Anderson said.
The protesters are advocating for a variety of causes, including immigrant rights, government accountability, and opposition to Project 2025, the conservative movement that aims to reshape the federal government.
"Taking away transgender rights, DEI, Medicare, trying to take federal money away from the people," said protester Deanna Rose. "People have the power and we will resist until things are changed."
Demonstrators whom WCCO News spoke to said there's a feeling of general frustration that's been growing for the last couple of weeks as they watch decisions they disagree with play out on a federal scale.
"I don't like that they're in our Treasury. You know, I don't like what they're doing with our foreign aid. I don't like what they're doing with trans rights. I don't like what they're doing with a lot of things," said protester Bill Lawrence. "No one policy, just in general what's happening with our country."
Ultimately, the group at the Capitol chanted, sang, and then went home. They say showing up is a statement in itself.
"The rampant firings of everybody, the purging of legitimate employees, the usurping of everybody's constitutional and contractual rights," said protester Kathleen Robinson. "People have freedoms and rights, and if we stand up, if we stand united, we can guard and protect those rights. Not just what I see as my right, but as all citizens have a right and a freedom."
In a statement to WCCO News, Republican House Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth says she hoped the protests are done in a safe and non-violent way. Demuth added she supports Minnesotan's right to protest, but recent threats against GOP elected officials are not acceptable.
